Andrew Rich Wines
Key Terms
Oregon's quiet pioneer of Rhône varietals, known for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Columbia Valley Rhône-style wines made at a Carlton winemaking collective, with roots dating to 1995.
Andrew Rich Wines is an independent Oregon label founded in 1995 and long based at Carlton Winemakers Studio in Carlton, Oregon. Rich studied winemaking in Burgundy and worked at Bonny Doon Vineyard before launching his own label. The label is known for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir alongside Rhône-style wines drawn from select Columbia Valley vineyards.
- Founded 1995 by Andrew Rich in Oregon; later based at Carlton Winemakers Studio
- Rich studied winemaking and viticulture in Burgundy and worked at Bonny Doon Vineyard before starting his label
- Known for both Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Columbia Valley Rhône-style wines
- Fruit sourced from select Oregon and Washington vineyards
- Began working with Croft Vineyard in 1999
- Known for a seductive Gewürztraminer dessert wine
Background and Origins
Andrew Rich founded his eponymous winery in 1995, based at the Carlton Winemakers Studio in Carlton, Oregon. Before establishing his label, Rich studied winemaking and viticulture in Burgundy, France and gained experience working at Bonny Doon Vineyard in California. That dual background, one foot in Old World Burgundian tradition and one in Bonny Doon's iconoclastic Rhône Ranger philosophy, shaped the winery's distinctive dual identity.
- Founded 1995 in Oregon; later based at Carlton Winemakers Studio
- Rich trained in Burgundy before working at Bonny Doon Vineyard
- Pioneered Rhône varietals in Oregon
Wines and Vineyards
Andrew Rich Wines sourced fruit from select Oregon and Washington vineyards, producing two distinct wine styles across two appellations. Willamette Valley Pinot Noir anchored the portfolio, while Columbia Valley provided the raw material for Rhône-inspired wines made from Syrah, Roussanne, Mourvèdre, and Malbec. The winery began working with Croft Vineyard in 1999. A Gewürztraminer dessert wine rounded out the range and earned particular recognition.
- Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Columbia Valley Rhône-style wines formed the core of the portfolio
- Grapes included Syrah, Roussanne, Mourvèdre, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir
- Croft Vineyard was a fruit source from 1999
- Small-production label that saw limited retail distribution
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The winery was based in Carlton, Oregon, in the northern Willamette Valley, home to marine sedimentary soils that distinguish much of the valley's viticulture. Columbia Valley, across the border in Washington, provides a warmer, more continental growing environment suited to Rhône varieties. This two-region sourcing strategy let Andrew Rich match varieties to the climates where they performed best.
- Carlton, Oregon was the winery's base, situated in the Willamette Valley
- Marine sedimentary soils characterize the local vineyard geology
- Columbia Valley fruit underpinned the Rhône-style wines
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Andrew Rich shows the cool-climate character of Oregon: red fruit, earthy depth, and restrained structure. The Columbia Valley Rhône-style wines lean toward richness and spice, reflecting the warmer inland climate. The Gewürztraminer dessert wine is noted for its seductive aromatic intensity.
- Andrew Rich Wines Willamette Valley Pinot Noir$25-45Core expression of the winery's Oregon Pinot Noir; sourced from select Willamette Valley vineyards with marine sedimentary soils.Find →
- Andrew Rich Wines Columbia Valley Syrah$25-45Rhône-style wine showcasing warmer Columbia Valley character; reflects Rich's Bonny Doon and Burgundy-trained perspective.Find →
- Andrew Rich Wines Gewürztraminer$20-40Seductive dessert-style wine noted as a standout in the Andrew Rich portfolio.Find →
- Andrew Rich Wines founded 1995; based at Carlton Winemakers Studio, Carlton, Oregon
- The label drew from two appellations: Willamette Valley (Pinot Noir) and Columbia Valley (Rhône varieties)
- Winemaker trained in Burgundy and worked at Bonny Doon Vineyard, shaping a Rhône-focused Oregon identity
- Croft Vineyard relationship established 1999
- Classified as an independent producer; pioneer of Rhône varietals in Oregon